M4 Motorway Closures

City News

M4 ‘PARTIALLY CLOSED’ 100 TIMES OVER LAST 2 YEARS

New research has revealed the M4 Motorway around Newport was ‘partially closed’ 100 times over the last two years.

The data was obtained by the Newport Conservative Group who submitted a freedom of Information request (FOI) to the Welsh Government. Over a two year period
from 8th September 2016, the M4 was totally closed on 1 occasion, however it was also ‘partially closed’ 100 times.

Pictured: It's time for the M4 Relief Road

A second FOI to Gwent Police showed there had been 29 Road Traffic Collisions during the same time period over two years. This figure would not have included
minor bumps not classed as accidents.

THE M4 HAS ALMOST CONSTANT DISRUPTION AROUND NEWPORT

Pictured: The Prince of Wales Bridge is the M4 gateway into Wales and Newport

Both FOIs solely focused on the M4 stretch of road between Junction 23a at Magor Services to Junction 28 at Tredegar Park.

In November last year, Newport Conservative Group Leader Cllr Matthew Evans issued a motion at a full Council Meeting calling on the Council to “Back the
Black Route”. Subject to an amendment by the Council Leader Cllr Debbie Wilcox, the motion was carried.

Cllr Matthew Evans said “I fully accept we will always have motorway closures due to accidents and my first thoughts are always with those hurt or injured.
However, the number of closures must be looked at. It is concerning. Every time we have a motorway closure, it has a catastrophic affect on Newport.
The City is instantly gridlocked and virtually ‘shuts down’ with roads at a near standstill. This must be having a devastating impact on the local
economy.”

Cllr Evans added “A decision on building the M4 Relief Road is due imminently by the Welsh Government. We’re renewing our calls for them to build the Black
Route as a matter of urgency.”

St.Julians Conservative Campaigner Michael Enea, who issued both FOIs, said “The data solely focused on the M4 around Newport. If you consider further
closures or Road Traffic Collisions just outside of this zone, the number would be higher again. Newport desperately needs the Relief Road built.”

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